THE HEART INTACT

Predawn Shenanigans Club, released in 2015

Bed-stuy Lullaby (special track, Full Length)

The Album has 10 original compositions by Wataru that are recorded in one room in one day. There is no studio manipulation such as overdub, punch-in, or cut & paste.Tunes are in Medium swing, slow rock/samba in 13 beats, slow Latin, Bolero, fast samba in 7 beats, and some Brazilian rhythm like Maracatu, Baião..

Abelita Mateus, on piano, is performing with Dizzy Gillespie Afro - Cuban Experience in US and EU. She also leads her piano trio and has been performing in New York and New Jersey.Itaiguara Brandão, on bass, has been performing with a lot of legends, such as Dom Salvador, Paulo Braga, Randy Brecker, Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Robin Eubanks, Romero Lubambo, and so on. As a band leader and composer, he has published his leading album, “Awakening”Vanderlei Pereira, on drums, has appeared and recorded with numerous outstanding artists, including Toots Thielemans, Leny Andrade, Tito Puente, Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Bebel Gilberto, and a lot more. He has performed at many top jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals not only as sideman but also as the leader of the Brazilian jazz group, Blindfold Test.

Blue Morpho, released in 2011

Na Gafieira Do Vidigal (special track, Full Length)

Blue Morpho, is dedicated to Baden Powell, the legendary guitarist of Brazil. Romero Lubambo, the top modern Brazilian jazz guitarist joined this recording and played Baden Powell’s tune,’Deixa’, with the thrilling samba beat by master percussionist, Cafe da Silva. The pianist of this album, Helio Alves performed fascinating solos on Uchida's original compositions such as 'Blue Morpho' 'Green Eyes'. Helio Alves has ever played with jazz giants and he was featured in the Grammy-winning release, Joe Henderson's Big Band. Nilson Matta, producer & bassist, worked with Baden Powell from 1972 through 73. He also recorded Joe Henderson's Big Band. The album title tune 'Blue Morpho' has a strong drive of Brazilian rhythm called baião. Another original tune by Uchida, 'Black Current' has a unique Oriental sound and it is blended well with the slow Latin rhythm, 'Bolero'. One of the most well known tunes by Baden Powell, 'Berimbau' is recorded just as duet of sax and bass.